Indeed. But whereas lust is self-regarding, desiring only to satisfy itself, eros love is other-regarding, desiring to satisfy the other. That is why the one is a sin, and the other is not. One is selfish, the other selfless. Of course, in reality these are extremes on a spectrum, rather than exclusive alternatives.
Best, 2RM
True lust, yeah...
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Don't mess with Yoda!
"There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, in the end, "Thy will be done.""
-C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce (emphasis mine)
"You must be imaginative, strong-hearted. You must try things that may not work, and you must not let anyone define your limits because of where you come from. Your only limit is your soul."
-Chef at the beginning of Ratatouille
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
i have often debated with myself the issues that are presented in this thread and have found that when it comes down to it i must compare my thoughts with the verse posted above. if my thoughts/desires do not match up with any of the above criterion then i must put them aside and think on something else. let me tell you, it works and if ever i must question if i think something is wrong then likely it is (at least as far as my own conscience is concerned). if i look around in various places to answer a question and can't find a satisfactor answer, then i go with my conscience; and sometimes, my search for an answer to whether something is a sin or not is really just a search for an excuse to continue in that sin with my conscience on silent mode. consider these things next time you think you are lusting. note also that lust can disguise itself as a love for beauty as i know from experience.
What determines what these things are? The Bible. If the Bible's silent on masturbation, is it not any of the things listed in the verse?
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Don't mess with Yoda!
"There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, in the end, "Thy will be done.""
-C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce (emphasis mine)
"You must be imaginative, strong-hearted. You must try things that may not work, and you must not let anyone define your limits because of where you come from. Your only limit is your soul."
-Chef at the beginning of Ratatouille
Simply finding someone attractive is not sinful. I also believe that simply having a sexual thought about a person you've noticed is not sinful, either. The sexual drive is not something you can simply turn off. However, I believe this becomes sin when you entertain that thought, and begin actively fantasizing about the person in your mind. There is a very thin line here. It's something where you have to be sensitive to the Spirit, and understand what's going to trigger you into fantasizing. However, I think that Christian men in particular can make themselves so guilt-ridden over this issue that it becomes very self-destructive. I know I have.
Simply finding someone attractive is not sinful. I also believe that simply having a sexual thought about a person you've noticed is not sinful, either. The sexual drive is not something you can simply turn off. However, I believe this becomes sin when you entertain that thought, and begin actively fantasizing about the person in your mind. There is a very thin line here. It's something where you have to be sensitive to the Spirit, and understand what's going to trigger you into fantasizing. However, I think that Christian men in particular can make themselves so guilt-ridden over this issue that it becomes very self-destructive. I know I have.
Yeah, what about fantasizing over someone you're married to? If lust is simply fantasy, then married people sin all the time.
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To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Don't mess with Yoda!
"There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, in the end, "Thy will be done.""
-C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce (emphasis mine)
"You must be imaginative, strong-hearted. You must try things that may not work, and you must not let anyone define your limits because of where you come from. Your only limit is your soul."
-Chef at the beginning of Ratatouille
Yeah, what about fantasizing over someone you're married to? If lust is simply fantasy, then married people sin all the time.
Good question. I've never been married, so this is not an option for me, and I have no experience to cull from. I know some people who believe that sexual fantasy of any kind (even about their spouse) is sin, and others who do not. This is very difficult to gauge. If you perceive that fantasizing causes you to actively turn away from God in order to satisfy the desire for sexual pleasure, I could consider that sinful. If it's nothing more than a pleasant daydream about making love with your spouse... you have to know your heart, I suppose. This is a matter which requires contemplation and prayer.
Good question. I've never been married, so this is not an option for me, and I have no experience to cull from. I know some people who believe that sexual fantasy of any kind (even about their spouse) is sin, and others who do not. This is very difficult to gauge. If you perceive that fantasizing causes you to actively turn away from God in order to satisfy the desire for sexual pleasure, I could consider that sinful. If it's nothing more than a pleasant daydream about making love with your spouse... you have to know your heart, I suppose. This is a matter which requires contemplation and prayer.
What determines what these things are? The Bible. If the Bible's silent on masturbation, is it not any of the things listed in the verse?
personally i believe that masturbation is included and is a sin. my response was more directed toward those of the opposing view. i thank you though for your comment, i probably needed that to clarify my stance a little better.
Sexual desire is natural. There is nothing wrong with sexual desire, provided that said desire does not take over your life.
The bible does not proscribe masturbation. The idea that masturbation is sinful is just another legalism to keep us in spiritual bondage. Masturbation is good, provided it does not become something you have to do to get through your day. Nobody ever caught a disease from masturbation.
personally i believe that masturbation is included and is a sin. my response was more directed toward those of the opposing view. i thank you though for your comment, i probably needed that to clarify my stance a little better.
God bless,
Stephen
Of course it was directed to the opposing view... yet what evidence is there for your position? You believe it is a sin, great! Are not sins found in the Bible? Otherwise, how can they be sinful?
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To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Don't mess with Yoda!
"There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, in the end, "Thy will be done.""
-C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce (emphasis mine)
"You must be imaginative, strong-hearted. You must try things that may not work, and you must not let anyone define your limits because of where you come from. Your only limit is your soul."
-Chef at the beginning of Ratatouille
Ya, lots of people like to make things sinful. Seems to me that they thinks they are more holy if they deny themselves. This was big in the church back in the 2-4th centurey of the church. But one can't find their type of self-denial in the Bible. The pharicees wanted jesus to deny himself in more ways, but Jesus said he wouldn't cume under their laws that they created. Jesus was here to do the Father's will, not to obey rules others asked him to obey.
Why do we feel guilty over these rules that men make that aren't God's rules?
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